State of UK cleaning sector in 2021

Cleaning sector in UK’s top 10 biggest industries

A research report from the British Cleaning Council (BCC) has shown that the cleaning, hygiene and waste sector is one of the UK’s top ten industries. The latest figures show that the industry contributed £55.5 billion to the economy in 2018 – a slight rise on previous figures.

In addition, it revealed that when taking into account all occupations that involve cleaning and hygiene, 1.47 million people work in the sector, approximately 5% of the UK workforce.

The BCC also stressed the change in public attitudes to cleaning and hygiene workers in its report, particularly since the onset of the pandemic:

  • 61% of people said that seeing cleaning and hygiene operatives in public spaces makes them feel that safety measures are being taken seriously.
  • 45% agreed that the visibility of cleaning in progress would encourage them to return to an office space, shopping centre or airport.

CHSA membership applications have soared

Applications for membership of the Cleaning & Hygiene Suppliers Association (CHSA) soared in the past year, as companies sought the mark of approval from the Association.

At the beginning of the pandemic, the Association observed a surge in new businesses supplying cleaning and hygiene products, including hand sanitisers, gloves, soft tissue and aprons. To gain credibility many applied for membership of the CHSA.

This however proved difficult for those that had not prepared adequately for the demands of the membership application.

Lorcan Mekitarian, Chair of the CHSA, explained: “Many applicants fell at the first hurdle, while others have not been able to comply with the specifications of the relevant Accreditation Scheme. We have been delighted to welcome those who have successfully passed and are now fully Accredited members of the CHSA.”

CHSA members being accepted into the relevant Accreditation Scheme and a signatory to the Association’s Code of Practice means they:

  • Trade ethically and sustainably;
  • Provide quality, fit for purpose products; and
  • Make sure ‘what’s on the box is what’s in the box’

All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for the UK Cleaning and Hygiene industry – a big success

The first meeting of the All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for the UK Cleaning and Hygiene industry since its inauguration has been hailed as a ‘great success’ when it was held in February 2021.

Some of the most prominent figures from the sector briefed MPs and Peers in the session, which was titled ‘Cleaning and Hygiene’s Role in Restoring the Public’s Confidence Post-Covid in Using Work and Public Spaces’.

The debate covered a number of topics including:

  • The importance of communication in restoring the public’s confidence post-pandemic.
  • The role of innovation in developing products that enable the demand for higher standards of cleaning to be met.
  • The need for improved labelling so the public can differentiate between effective hand gels and those being produced by unscrupulous pop-up companies that don’t protect from pathogens

ECFI to host week of webinars

The European Cleaning and Facility Services Industry (EFCI) is to host a week of online seminars in October focusing on sustainability and innovation.

Taking place from 11-15 October, the programme will tackle the impact of COVID-19 on the industry, alongside the main innovation trends in the sector and the greening of cleaning services.